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This is part of a Trane XE800 that was installed in 1990. The outdoor unit has since failed and I'm currently replacing the whole system with a Trane XL14i setup. Since I'm ignorant when it comes to heat pumps and installing them, I was curious to find out if this was a good installation. Check out the photos here. Click on a photo to enlarge.

From a technical perspective, without putting on guages, meter an other measuring devices, I'd say you are on the right track. I, however, and a big fan of installing refrigeration lines with ACR hard drawn and fittings. (You'd never install a walk in freezer or Kitchen cooler with line sets) But for the most part... I don't see any code infractions. But also too... I'm a bit of a stickler for linear neatness... all lines... electrical, refrigeration, natural gas lines or whatever... HAS TO BE AS CLOSE TO PERFECT AS YOU CAN GET IT. It's not rocket science... I give my customer atleast an hour of my time on a day long installation for free, to make the lines perfect.

Then I can truely substantiate the additional cost in the quote.

Teach the apprentices right... and learn from their questions and ideas.

I concur with the other gentlemen on your install. I would install a tee in place of the 1st elbow on the main drain. On top of the T I would place a 3" length of pvc pipe with a cap. Do not glue the lenght of pipe to the T. This would be for access to clean the trap. Pip the overflow drain line to a deep pan or plastic box beside the air handler. If the drain overflows it will drain into the pan instead of all over the floor. You can also put a float switch in the pan so when the pan begins to fill up it will shut off the unit. I did this at my dads house and it saved his ceiling three times already.

Originally posted by ricm The work in the pics you sent are nice work! If you did this... good work.

I did not do the install. It was done by the builder's contractor 15 years ago. As I said previously, I don't know anything about this stuff, so I was just curious as to whether this was a good installation or not. The new system will go in next week.

Originally posted by -80guru I concur with the other gentlemen on your install. I would install a tee in place of the 1st elbow on the main drain. On top of the T I would place a 3" length of pvc pipe with a cap. Do not glue the lenght of pipe to the T. This would be for access to clean the trap. Pip the overflow drain line to a deep pan or plastic box beside the air handler. If the drain overflows it will drain into the pan instead of all over the floor. You can also put a float switch in the pan so when the pan begins to fill up it will shut off the unit. I did this at my dads house and it saved his ceiling three times already.

You wouldn't happen to have a web site link to a picture or diagram that illustrates what you're referring to?

Originally posted by mayguy Did they say why the outdoor unit failed? It looks the dampers on both end of the supply duct are closed down half way.

Compressor failed. Old age. HP is 15 years old. I think you may be referring to is the redirects. They can be adjusted to force air to the first or second floor. Currently they're set to force air mainly to the first floor. Heat rises you know.

No I do not have a diagram or web site to refer to. It's pretty simple really. I will look into taking a picture and posting. It will be the first picture post I have done though and may take a little time.